My question is for Dave. What was a key decision to come back to the recording scene and this material?

[DAVE] I just really get a lot of enjoyment out of writing a cool song. I’m at my happiest (whatever that may be!) when I’m sitting at my laptop with a bottle of wine and putting down new vocal melodies down to new music that Jack’s sent over.

I’m getting on a bit now but I’ll always be chasing that big song that I haven’t quite found yet in the music I’ve been a part of since I was in my first band at 18. I’m hoping in the next couple of years it will appear.

What are your hopes and aspirations for Interlaker?

[JACK] When we started Interlaker, we made a promise that it would always be a ‘no pressure’ project. We approach everything day by day, record by record, and show by show. That said, it’s hard not to get caught up in the excitement of the songs we write, and the possibility of what the future looks like.

I suppose my aspiration for Interlaker is for us to play this record to as many people who want to hear it, to continue writing the songs we love, and for the band to continue bringing us purpose and joy.

Top 5 songs growing up?

[DAVE] The first songs that I can remember hearing as a young’un and moving something in me were:

Buffalo Soldier – Bob Marley
Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now – Starship
( I Just ) Died In Your Arms Tonight – Cutting Crew
Wouldn’t It Be Good – Nick Kershaw
Paul McCartney – Pipes Of Peace / The Frog Chorus

Favourite song to play live?

[JACK] We’ve only had the opportunity to play it once live, but I absolutely loved playing a track called Carving Circles. It’s my favourite on the record, and also our next single!

Was it OK for Dave to play the same festival as his former bandmates?

[DAVE] It was a bit strange when I found out we were both playing Trees and even stranger when I found out we were on the same day. I did have some plans to watch their set later on in the evening but I was brutally tired after we played so I drove home not too long after our set. Had about 2 hours of proper sleep the night before. I haven’t talked to the LTB fellas for quite a long time now. Would have been cool to see them.

Question for Jack: I knew you since Arcane Roots as drummer, are there any reasons behind moving to play guitar?

[JACK] In the past, my role as a writer was predominantly centred around rhythm rather than melody. Although I had the chance to contribute a few melodic parts during my time with In Dynamics, it wasn’t until Interlaker that I could fully explore and develop my ideas.

After Dave and I had finished writing / recording the album, we began envisioning what a live performance would look like. It was Dave who suggested that I should play guitar on stage. The heart of these songs lie in those melodies we wrote, so it feels more fitting for me to be playing those parts live, rather than sticking to my usual role. That said, I absolutely loved writing and recording the drums on this record and would love a chance to play it live one day.

If you were stuck on a desert island & given only 3 tracks to listen to, what would those be?

[DAVE]
Pearl Jam – Corduroy
Springsteen – Long Walk Home
dEUS – Disappointed In The Sun

Why has Interlaker always been billed as Jack and Dave, even though you’ve used the same great musicians as your ‘backing band’?

[JACK] I personally don’t consider the band to be just me and Dave. When the five of us take to the stage, it feels like a band to me and everyone has equal value. That said, the guys have busy lives and many other amazing projects in the works, so it makes sense for us to keep the core identity as me and Dave.

Can you guys do a cover of Strange Like I by Lonely The Brave?

[DAVE] I don’t think we’ll be doing a cover of Strange Like I, but we’re going to be playing a few tracks off The Days War for the upcoming gigs we’re doing. It’s been 10 years since that record came out, so it’ll be cool to bash some of them out again.

Will you guys come to Europe soon?

[JACK] It has become increasingly difficult for UK bands to play shows in Europe but we would absolutely love to make it happen on this album cycle!

[DAVE] Had so many really cool trips over to Holland, Germany and Belgium back in the LTB days, so would be great to head over there and beyond and play again. Vestrock in Holland was a favourite of mine. That backstage area is pretty special!